Cartridge-loading machine.



Patented .Iuly l8, I899. T. P. FLYNN.

CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

{Application filed Apr. 22, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sha ets$h8et I.

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CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

N M d Application filed Apr. 22, 1898.) Q o o e ,3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

Patented July l8, I899. T. P. FLYNN. CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

( N M (Application filed Apr. 22, 1898.)

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@31 aftoznel Lrram. WASHINGTON n c THOMAS P. FLYNN, OF S ArnNi T. CLOUD, MINNESOTA.-

CARTRlDGE-LOADING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No: 629,029, dated July 18, 1899. Application file d April 22, 1898. Serial No. 6'78A69. (N0 modem To all whom it may concern.-

lle it known that l, THOMAS P. FLYNN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Cloud, Stearns county, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Loading Oartridges; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invent ion relates to machines kn own as cartridge-loaders; and the object of the same is to produce certain improvements therein.

To this end the invention consists in the details of construction hereinafter more fully described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of this machine complete, but with the cover of the magazine removed. Fig. 2 'is a rightside elevation, partially broken away, showing the parts in the act of delivering a charge. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a section through the charger, illustrating the means for adjusting the size of the charge. Fig. 5 is a section through the supportingpost, showing details of the clutchmechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the base of the magazine in plan view with the hopper removed. Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating the members of the charger and showing means for adjusting the size of the charge.

Referring to the said drawings, the letter a designates a base of approximately circular form and. having an extension at one side,- from which rises a bracket 11 whose upper end extends forward in an arm over the center of the base and is bifurcated, as seen in Fig. 8, its cross-sectional shape being best seen in Fig. 3.

b is the bed, preferably supported on rollerbearings a in the base and surmounted by a shell-holder 19 having a removable top 11 The shell-holder is hooked to the bed, as at b in Fig. 4, and interiorlyit has upright par: titions 6 forming chambers for the shells, which partitions are continued upward, as at b, in the top piece 6 and preferablybeveled off at the upper ends of the chambers. The

bed I) is mounted on a post 0, which projects which flange and the lower end of the post may be supported by ball-bearingsa in the base a. The flange is exteriorly provided with notches 0 which are engaged by the tip of a spring-dog c and these notches are spaced from each other a distance which will bring all the shell-chambers step by step under a given point, for which purpose it will be understood that the chambers in the various concentric circles of the shell-holder b are always equidistant from each other.

While any approved means may be employed for rotating the shell-holder step by step over the base, I prefer the mechanism herein illustrated. This consists of a clutchring 0, surrounding the post 0 loosely and having oblique openings 0 in its inner face, in which are mounted rollers or balls 0 From oneside of the ring projects an arm 0 to which at the point 0 is pivoted a link 0 The latter extends out through the side of the base and is drawn normally outward by a spring 0 preferably located within the bracket b 0 is an L-shaped lever pivoted at 0 near its angle within this bracket, its lower end being engaged with the link a and its upper end projecting forwardly over the bracketarm 19 as shown. By this construction each time the forward end of the lever 0 is raised its lower end pushes on the link 0 which turns the ring 0 preferably in a direction to clutch the balls 0 between the oblique walls of theopenings 0 and the exterior of the post 0. Continued movement then turns the post one step or until the tip of the springdog engages the next notch 0 and another cartridge-shell is therefore brought in position for treatment. It will be obvious that by inverting the clutch-ring exactly the opposite motion will take place, and an inward push on the link 0 will then open the clutch,

and the return movement under the force of the spring a will cause the rotation of the shell-holder b My invention contemplatesthe removable application to the bracket-arm b of mechanism for charging the shells, for ramming the charge, and finally for crimping the shells, each of which mechanisms is provided with means for movingthe actuating-lever at every operation, so as to turn the shell-holder in the manner just described.

It will be obvious that the size of the shellholder and the number of chambers therein are dependent only upon the capacity of the machine and the rigidity of the parts, and I have found that a machine with one hundred such chambers can be built and successfully operated.

The charging mechanism is mainly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.- On the bracketarm I) move two guides (Z through one of which may be passed a set-screwd These guides are at the bottom of a cup-shaped magazine-base cl, through which bottom hangs a discharge-tube d at the forward side of said base and in position to stand between the two arms Z). From the center of this base rises a post (1 on which is journaled the inner end of a lever (1, whose body projects outward through a slot cl (here shown at the right side of the base) and carries a handle. At the other side of the post (1*, opposite the handle, the lever carries a cam (1 so shaped that its lower end normally stands under the forward end of the actuating-lever c, which projects loosely through an upright slot (Z in the rear of the base d, all as best seen in Fig. 6. Hence a movement of the handle (1 from the position therein shown and through a quarter of a circle will cause the cam d to raise the front end of the lever 0 with the result described above.

The letter designates the magazine proper closed by a removable cover e and whose bottom is interiorly conical, as at e, and provided with a socket to fit removably over the post (1 \Vithin the magazine is an upright partition (2", dividingitinto shot and powder compartments, and around the base of the cone are openings 6 communicating with said compartments and preferably closed by dampers a capable of operation from the exterior, as shown. The lever (1 within the magazinebase (Z carries the charger d at a proper point to come under the openings e in the bottom of the hopper, and from this lever there project-s to the rear a fiat curved arm d, serving as a closer-plate for each opening after the charger has moved away from beneath it. In Fig. 7 it will be seen that the charger consists of concentric cylinders, of which the inner, (1 has a pin (1 and the outer, (Z has an upright slot (Z with notches in one edge adapted to engage this pin and is marked on its exterior with a scale along the outer edge of the slot. Hence the on ter cylinder can be turned slighly on the inner, then adjusted longitu dinally thereof, as desired, and finally again turned to bring one of its notches into engagement with the pin (Z thus adjusting the length of the complete charger by telescoping the outer cylinder more or less upon the inner.

(Z is the bottom of the outer cylinder, which is provided at one edge with a depending pin (Z and from whose other edge rises its pivot-pin (Z which passes through eyes (Z on the exterior of the outer cylinder and is surrounded by a spring 01 tending to hold the bottom norm ally closed. WVhen the lever d is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 around to the front to bring the charger over the discharge-tube (Z the pin 6 strikes the upper end of said tube and opens the charger, so that its contents fall through the tube (1 into the cartridge-shell beneath, and on the return movement the spring (Z throws the pivoted bottom back beneath the charger, and the closer cl meanwhile holds the opening 6 closed until the charger again passes beneath it, when a fresh charge of powder from the hopper will fall through the opening a into the charger. The amount of powder received therein at this time is regulated by the adjustment of the length of the charger, as above described, and in order that the upper end of the discharge-tube (Z may always engage the pin (1 said tube is threaded, as

at (Z into the bottom of the magazine-base d. In this manner the charging of one row of cartridge-shells in the shell-holder is per formed, after which the entire magazine is adjusted longitudinally on the bracket-arm b, the set-screw c reset, and the charging of the next row of cartridge-shells is accomplished in the same manner, each movement of the lever 61" operating the actuating-lever c in the manner described.

Obviously the shot is introduced into the shells upon the powder by turning the magazine a half-revolution on the post (1 the damper a below the powder-com partment being closed and the other damper below the shot-compartment being opened.

All parts of this machine are of the desired sizes, shapes, proportions, and materials, and considerable changes in and additions to the details of constructions herein set forthmay be made without departing from the principle of my invention. It will be clear, for instance, that one of the compartments of the hopper might contain shot and a second lever similar to (1 could be provided at the opposite side of the post 61 but without a cam d for moving the actuating-lever. Then the charge of powder would be delivered by this second lever without moving the actuatinglever, and thereafter a charge of shot could be delivered by the lever shown in the drawings, which would move the actuating-lever and turn the shell-holder one step. Of course provision is made for the insertion of the wads. gest themselves to the skilled manufacturer and can be readily made.

In operation the shell-holder I) is removed from the bed I) and loaded with shells from beneath. Then it is replaced and hooked in position and the top 19 put on. The hopper is filled with powder, (or its compartments with powder and shot, as'above described,) and the guides (Z are clamped at proper points on the bracket-arm Z)" to bring the dischargetube (i over the outer row of shells. The

Other changes and additions will sughandle (1 is then moved forward to charge one shell, as above described, and when returned the shell-holder turns forward one step. When the outer row of shells has been charged, the set-screw d is loosened, the guides moved on the arm, and the set-screw reset to bring the discharge-tube over the second row of shells. as above described,- the size of the charge can be regulated by the devices best seen in Fig. 7.

Vith a machine of this character a large number of shells can be rapidly charged, and while the operator is doing the work a boy can be removing the loaded shells from the holder last operated with and recharging it with empty shells for the next operation.

\Vhat I claim as new is I 1. In a cartridge-loading machine, the combination with a base having a bracket rising therefrom and provided with an arm extending over the base, a shell-holder mounted on the base and containing a ring of shell-chambers which latter are all equidistant from each other, mechanism for rotating said holder in steps equal to the distance between the centers of two contiguous chambers, and a lever for actuating such mechanism, which lever has one end over said bracket-arm; of a removable device for treating the shells, a guide therefor mounted on the bracket-arm, and an operating-lever whose movements trip the actuating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

' 2. In acartridge-loading machine, the combination with a base having a bracket rising therefrom and provided with a longitudinallybifurcated arm extending over the base, a shell-holder mounted on the base and containing concentric rings of shellchambers which latter are all equidistant from each other, mechanism for rotating said holder in steps equal to the distance between the centers of two chambers, and a lever for actuating such mechanism, which lever has one end over said bracket-arm of a device for treating the shells, a guide therefor removably mounted on and longitudinally adjustable of the bracket arm, and an operating lever whose movement trips the actuating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a shell-holder having concentric rings of shell-chambers, mechanism for imparting rotary movement to such holder in steps, a lever for actuating said mechanism, and a supporting-base having a bracket provided with a bifurcated arm extending over the holder; of a charging device consisting of a magazine and a base therefor, guides on the latter adj ustable longitudinally on said bracket-arm,

a discharge-tube depending from the base through the slot in said arm and capable of being moved by the adjustment of the base from a point above the center of the shellchamber to a point above the outer ring of chambers therein, and mechanism for receiving a charge from the magazine-hopper and delivering it through said tube, as and for the purpose set forth.

t. In a cartridge-loading machine, the combination with the loading mechanism proper; of the herein-described shell-holder, the same consisting of a base having supporting-rollers, a bed rotatably mounted on the rollers, a holder proper having concentric rings of. upright shell-chambers all equidistant from each other, means for removably connecting the holder with its bed, and a removable top for the holder having interior partitions registering with those in the holder and beveled off at their upper edges, all as and for the purpose set forth. I

5. In a cartridge-loading machine, the combination with a base, a spring-dog carried thereby, a shell-holder rotatably mounted on said base, a post journaled at its lower end in the latter and connected with the holder, and a flange fast on the post and having external notches engaged bysaid dog and correspondbers in the holder; of a clutch rin g surrounding said post above its flange and having a lateral arm, clutches within the ring for binding the post when the ring is turned in one direction, a link pivoted to said arm and moved in one direction by a spring, and a lever for moving the link in the opposite direction, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a cartridge-loading machine, the combination with a base, a spring-dog carried thereby, a shell-holder rotatably mounted on said base, a post journaled at its lower end in the latter and connected with the holder, and a flange fast on the post and having external notches engaged by said dog and corresponding with the distance between the shell-chambers in the holder; of a clutch-ring surrounding said post and having oblique openings in its inner wall and a laterally-projecting arm, clutch balls or rollers within said openings adapted to bind the post when the ring is turned in one direction, a sprin g carrying said lateral arm in one direction, and an actuatinglever for moving it against the tension of its spring, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a rotary shell-holder having a ring of shell-chambers, clutch mechanism for turning the holder in steps, a base supporting the holder and having an upright arm with a bracket, and a clutch-actuating lever pivoted within the arm and having one end extending over the bracket; of a charger mounted on the bracket, a horizontally-moving operatinglever therein, and a cam carried by said lever and standing under the upper end of said actuating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a shell-holder having a ring of'shellchambers, means for rotating it in steps, and an actuating-lever for said means; of a magazine comprising a hopper and a base which latter has an upright slot through which said in g with the distance between the shell-chamactuating-lever projects, a delivery-lever mov ing horizontally in the base, and a curved cam carried by said delivery-lever and engaging beneath the actuating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a shell-holder, amagazine comprising a hopper and a cylindrical base supported above the holder, the base having a slot in one side, a discharge-tube through the bottom of the base at one end of the slot, an outlet in the bottom of the magazine adjacent the other end of said slot, a lever pivoted at the center of the base and projecting through said slot, a charge-carrier supported by the lever and adapted to be moved from beneath the hopperopening over the discharge-tube, said carrier comprising two telescopic cylinders of which the outer has an upright slot with notches in one edge and the inner has an outwardlyextending pin projecting through said slot and adj ustably engaging said notches, and a curved closer-plate carried by said lever in rear of the charge-carrier, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a cylindrical hopper comprising a base and a superimposed magazine, an upright partition dividing the latter into compartments each of which has an outlet-opening in its bottom, and a central socket in the bottom of the magazine; of a discharge-tube threaded through the bottom of the base, a post rising from the latter and on which said socket fits rotatably, a lever pivoted on said post, a vertically-adj ustable charge-carrier on the lever adapted to move from under one of said outlet-openings over said dischargetube, a closer-plate on the lever in rear of the carrier, a hinged bottom to said carrier, a projection thereon engaging the tube for opening said bottom when the carrier and tube are in alinement, and independent dampers for closing said outlet-openings, all as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a swinging lever, a hopper having a dis-' charge-opening standing at one point and above the lever, and a base having a discharge-tube standing at another point and below the lever; of a chargecarrier supported thereof and adapted to strike the dischargetube when the carrier is 'moved thereover, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a swinging lever, a hopper having a discharge-opening at one point and above the lever, and a base having a vertically-adjustable discharge-tube standing at another point below the lever; of a charge-carrier supported by the-lever and consisting of telescoping cylinders, means for holding them in adjusted position one on the other, eyes on the exterior of the outer cylinder, a horizontally-swinging bottom having an upright pi vot-pin journaled in said eyes, a spring on this pin throwing the bottom normally closed, and a pendent pin at the free edge of the bottom adapted to e11- gage the upper end of the discharge-tube when the carrier is moved thereovcr, as and for the purpose set forth 13. In a cartridge-loader, the combination with a on p-shaped magazine-base having a ninety-degree slot in one side, a dischargetube through its bottom at one end of the slot, a swinging lever pivoted at its center and projecting through said slot, a charge-carrier supported by the lever and adapted to be moved over said tube, and a closer-plate carried by the lever in rear of the carrier; of a concentrio hopper mounted revolubly on the base and having a plurality of openings in its bottom either of which is adapted to be brought over the charge-carrier when in its normal position, a damper for each of said openings, a conical enlargement at the bottom of the magazine, and an upright partition across the center of the cone, as and for the purpose set In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature on this 19th day of April, A. D. 1898.

THOMAS P. FLYNN.

WVitnesses:

THOMAS A. PATTISON, HENRY THIELMAN. 

